The EVUSA Leadership Gathering (ELG) was held January 16-18 in Goldsboro, North Carolina at the First Church with the theme, “Reaching the More and More.” The sixth annual event opened Monday night with a message from Bishop Garry Bryant, bringing attention to the heart and the harvest, emphasizing the need and the scope of reaching our “Oikos,” or households for Christ.
Tuesday’s featured keynote speaker, Ed Garvin, encouraged the attendants in the area of evangelism and leadership. Strong altar and ministry times followed each of Ed Garvin’s general sessions. There were also panel discussions and breakouts designed to empower leaders while keeping the focus on the need to engage in personal evangelism.The new HGM resource, “Small Churches Can Make a Big Difference,” was unveiled Tuesday.
Wednesday featured a panel discussion about church planting and a new on-ramp for identifying and recruiting church planters was released. New ministry endeavors were presented that will help IPHC churches respond to the needs of their communities through Fostering Hope, as well as a strategic partnership with Christ Central Ministries that will help train community chaplains for local IPHC churches. We are strengthening the continued partnership with Metro World Child. Wednesday also included multiple breakout opportunities emphasizing evangelism, leadership, and healthy marriage and family life for pastors and leaders.
The event ended with a signature meal provided by the First Church. The event ended with the signature meal provided by the First Church. The feedback from the participants of the 2023 Evangelism Leadership Gathering was the “best yet!” Conference bishops and pastors stated the atmosphere, focus, and overall unity among the full house of participants was refreshing and monumental. Momentum is building in and among the IPHC family in the US as we “Reach the More and More”!
